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Chic bars have lots to offer in the ambience department. But in the face of $15 martinis, a lounge of your own can be a great alternative. After a tough 9-to-5er, why not invite your buddies over to ogle your new wet bar while enjoying a couple of cold ones?
Polish up your margarita-making skills with this book on how to do tequila (1. Urban Outfitters, 235 Yonge, 416-214-1466, $25). If Cuervo isn’t your liquor of choice, check out this book full of exotic cocktail recipes (2. Urban Outfitters, $10.95). Or hand out “She liked her men like her cocktails… neat, but with a twist” napkins (3. The Outer Layer, 406 Bloor West, 416-324-8333, $5.50). Display the Alessi opener like a work of art, and when it’s wine time put this little puppy to work (4. Studio Brillantine, 10821/2 Queen West, 416-536-6521, $114). Cerveza, anyone? Corona bottle opener (5. Urban Outfitters, $16). Baby need a bah-bah opener (6. Urban Mode, 389 Queen West, 416-591-8834, $23.98)? Keep your cubes in cool style (7. Studio Brillantine, $112).
Lounge sign (8. Urban Outfitters, $50) lets guests know where to relax. Serve in style with this authentic Corona drink tray (9. Urban Outfitters, $28). Play host with a retro polka-dot platter tray (10. Urban Mode, $29.98). Garnish your martinis with these olive spikes complete with holder (11. Morba, 665-667 Queen West, 416-364-5144, $10). This set of colourful coasters (12. Morba, $10) will jazz up your bar. Rose martini glasses are always a hit (13. Urban Mode, $14.50 each). Bullet martini shaker speeds up a mix (14. Morba, $39). Target shaker hits your drinks right on the nose (15. Urban Mode, $26.98), and glasses (16. Morba, set of four for $20). Stop swipin’ them from the local pub — Guinness pint glasses are now available in stores (17. Urban Outfitters, $11 each).
Playboy swizzle sticks stir it up (18. Morba, $16 each). With these ingenious glasses you’ll never misplace your bevvie again (19. Urban Outfitters, set of four for $44). Chill to perfection with this adjustable thermometer (20. Studio Brillantine, $56). Line up the liquid cocaines with this party-prêt set of shot glasses (21. Urban Outfitters, set of six for $28). Soak it up with retro napkins (22. INabstracto, 1160 Queen West, 416-533-6362, $5.50 each). Old Skool coasters add “cocktail charisma” (23. INabstracto, $5.50 each).
With files from EMMA MADEIROS